India&rsquo;s opposition leader and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, who has been quite vocal in attacking Pakistan since the April 22 brutal killings of 26 civilians by terrorists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, has slammed Pakistan&rsquo;s general over his remarks and said that those speaking &lsquo;nonsense&rsquo; don&rsquo;t know Islam&rsquo;. He also called Pakistan a &lsquo;failed nation&rsquo;. Owaisi, who has been hailed for his sharp retorts to the war rhetoric from Pakistan amid the rising tension, addressed Pakistan Army chief General Asim Munir by name in a speech and said that Indian Muslims rejected Muhammad Ali Jinnah&rsquo;s message and willingly decided to stay back during the Partition in 1947.
Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pahalgam-attack-india-cracks-the-whip-bans-all-pak-imports-mails-and-parcels-bars-port-access-to-ships-9029491">India cracks the whip again, bans all Pak imports, mails and parcels, bars port access to ships</a>
&ldquo;I want to tell him that we decided in 1947 that we won&rsquo;t leave India, we rejected (Muhammad Ali) Jinnah&rsquo;s message. India was our land, it is our land and Inshallah, will remain our land. Those speaking nonsense in Pakistan, I want to tell them you don&rsquo;t know Islam, you are deprived of its teachings,&rdquo; Owaisi said. 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-ma9jf83h-63gpiope-q4m0427v">
पाकिस्तान एक नाकाम मुल्क है <a href="https://t.co/qXFaMnQEOt">pic.twitter.com/qXFaMnQEOt</a>
&mdash; Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) <a href="https://twitter.com/asadowaisi/status/1918662552898117674?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 3, 2025</a></blockquote>
 He also called out Pakistan for discrimination against Muhajirs (who migrated from India in 1947) and social groups like Pathans.&nbsp; &ldquo;You are in a country where people are called Muhajir, Pathans. Your country is so poor that people are worried, you have differences with Afghanistan and a border dispute with Iran. Pakistan is a failed nation,&rdquo; he said. The Hyderabad MP added that some powers will never let India stay in peace. &ldquo;It is time for us to give them a definite response so that this poison of terrorism is put to an end,&rdquo; he said.
Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-plots-double-financial-strike-on-pakistan-to-stifle-terror-funding-jittery-islamabad-reacts-9027446">India plots double financial strike on Pakistan to stifle terror funding, jittery Islamabad reacts</a>
Owaisi said the Pahalgam attack has stirred the entire nation, cutting across classes and communities. &ldquo;We must remain united. Those who are trying to divide Hindus and Muslims at this time, I want to tell them that they are making India weak. If you do Hindu-Muslim after such a terror attack, you must remember that ISI and terrorists in Pakistan will be happy,&rdquo; he said. 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-ma9jg315-dpofgn44-yflu3ax3">
पहलगाम हमले पर हिंदू-मुस्लिम करने वाले भारत को कमज़ोर कर रहे हैं<a href="https://t.co/eorjS2ojVh">pic.twitter.com/eorjS2ojVh</a>
&mdash; Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) <a href="https://twitter.com/asadowaisi/status/1918670246145122321?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 3, 2025</a></blockquote>
Owaisi, who is a strong critic of the government, has extended full support to the Centre in any action against Pakistan in retaliation for the Pahalgam attack and has won praise even from his detractors.
Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/pakistan/pahalgam-terror-attack-pak-politician-says-will-go-to-england-if-india-pak-war-begins-watch-9031875">Pahalgam terror attack: Pak politician says 'will go to England' if India-Pak war begins | WATCH</a> Reacting to reports that Islamabad is vacating terror launchpads in Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir (POK) in the fear of Indian retaliation, Owaisi said, &ldquo;If they have vacated, we must go and sit there and stay. If they are taking any action this time, toh ghar mein ghus ke baith jana, khatam (Enter the house and stay, that&rsquo;s it).&rdquo;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-ma9jnvmc-fd9useb2-rbe3h5ib">
VIDEO | Pahalgam terror attack: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi (<a href="https://twitter.com/asadowaisi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@asadowaisi</a>) while addressing a public rally in Bahadurganj, Bihar, says, "Himanshi&rsquo;s husband was killed by these terrorists just six days after their wedding. They devastated our daughter's life, and yet, even in her&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/MvDnU422Qh">pic.twitter.com/MvDnU422Qh</a>
&mdash; Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) <a href="https://twitter.com/PTI_News/status/1918971050987307360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 4, 2025</a></blockquote>
Addressing a public rally in Bahadurganj, Bihar, on Sunday, Owaisi said, &ldquo;Himanshi&rsquo;s husband was killed by these terrorists just six days after their wedding. They devastated our daughter's life, and yet, even in her grief, she expressed that she does not wish for this tragedy to create hatred towards Muslims or Kashmiris in our country. I hope the government remembers her words. The ones spreading hate are the very people who bring satisfaction to the terrorists. This is the time for India to stand united and not divided by fear or prejudice, but together in strength, to defeat the forces of terror.&rdquo;
Earlier, he had slammed Pakistan politician Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for his outbursts against India and said that the Pakistan People&rsquo;s Party leader must remember that terrorism killed his mother and former PM Benazir Bhutto.

India News: Owaisi addressed Pakistan Army chief General Asim Munir by his name in a speech to remind him that Indian Muslims rejected Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s message and willingly decided to stay back during the Partition in 1947.

India’s opposition leader and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, who has been quite vocal in attacking Pakistan since the April 22 brutal killings of 26 civilians by terrorists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, has slammed Pakistan’s general over his remarks and said that those speaking ‘nonsense’ don’t know Islam’. He also called Pakistan a ‘failed nation’. Owaisi, who has been hailed for his sharp retorts to the war rhetoric from Pakistan amid the rising tension, addressed Pakistan Army chief General Asim Munir by name in a speech and said that Indian Muslims rejected Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s message and willingly decided to stay back during the Partition in 1947. Also Read | India cracks the whip again, bans all Pak imports, mails and parcels, bars port access to ships “I want to tell him that we decided in 1947 that we won’t leave India, we rejected (Muhammad Ali) Jinnah’s message. India was our land, it is our land and Inshallah, will remain our land. Those speaking nonsense in Pakistan, I want to tell them you don’t know Islam, you are deprived of its teachings,” Owaisi said. पाकिस्तान एक नाकाम मुल्क है pic.twitter.com/qXFaMnQEOt — Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) May 3, 2025 He also called out Pakistan for discrimination against Muhajirs (who migrated from India in 1947) and social groups like Pathans. “You are in a country where people are called Muhajir, Pathans. Your country is so poor that people are worried, you have differences with Afghanistan and a border dispute with Iran. Pakistan is a failed nation,” he said. The Hyderabad MP added that some powers will never let India stay in peace. “It is time for us to give them a definite response so that this poison of terrorism is put to an end,” he said. Also Read | India plots double financial strike on Pakistan to stifle terror funding, jittery Islamabad reacts Owaisi said the Pahalgam attack has stirred the entire nation, cutting across classes and communities. “We must remain united. Those who are trying to divide Hindus and Muslims at this time, I want to tell them that they are making India weak. If you do Hindu-Muslim after such a terror attack, you must remember that ISI and terrorists in Pakistan will be happy,” he said. पहलगाम हमले पर हिंदू-मुस्लिम करने वाले भारत को कमज़ोर कर रहे हैंpic.twitter.com/eorjS2ojVh — Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) May 3, 2025 Owaisi, who is a strong critic of the government, has extended full support to the Centre in any action against Pakistan in retaliation for the Pahalgam attack and has won praise even from his detractors. Also Read | Pahalgam terror attack: Pak politician says 'will go to England' if India-Pak war begins | WATCH Reacting to reports that Islamabad is vacating terror launchpads in Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir (POK) in the fear of Indian retaliation, Owaisi said, “If they have vacated, we must go and sit there and stay. If they are taking any action this time, toh ghar mein ghus ke baith jana, khatam (Enter the house and stay, that’s it).” VIDEO | Pahalgam terror attack: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) while addressing a public rally in Bahadurganj, Bihar, says, "Himanshi’s husband was killed by these terrorists just six days after their wedding. They devastated our daughter's life, and yet, even in her… pic.twitter.com/MvDnU422Qh — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 4, 2025 Addressing a public rally in Bahadurganj, Bihar, on Sunday, Owaisi said, “Himanshi’s husband was killed by these terrorists just six days after their wedding. They devastated our daughter's life, and yet, even in her grief, she expressed that she does not wish for this tragedy to create hatred towards Muslims or Kashmiris in our country. I hope the government remembers her words. The ones spreading hate are the very people who bring satisfaction to the terrorists. This is the time for India to stand united and not divided by fear or prejudice, but together in strength, to defeat the forces of terror.” Earlier, he had slammed Pakistan politician Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for his outbursts against India and said that the Pakistan People’s Party leader must remember that terrorism killed his mother and former PM Benazir Bhutto.

‘Pakistan a failed state, Gen Munir’s remarks nonsensical’: Oppn leader Asaduddin Owaisi

The recent terror attack in Pahalgam, which left 26 innocent people dead, including a foreign national from Nepal, starkly exposes Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir&rsquo;s radical agenda and his deep involvement in sponsoring cross-border terrorism against India. While Islamabad continues to deny responsibility, clear intelligence, operational evidence, and recent provocative statements directly implicate Pakistan&rsquo;s military establishment, led by General Munir, as the prime architect of this deadly strategy.
General Munir is increasingly recognised as a dangerous radical whose extremist views and provocative rhetoric have significantly escalated violence in Kashmir. His recent address at the Overseas Pakistanis Convention in Islamabad, invoking the divisive two-nation theory and labelling Kashmir as Pakistan&rsquo;s &ldquo;jugular vein&rdquo;, was not mere political posturing. It was a calculated dog whistle to extremist elements operating under Pakistan&rsquo;s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). By exploiting religious differences, General Munir sought to mobilise these terror networks as strategic assets in his broader agenda of destabilising India.
Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/another-pakistan-about-to-emerge-in-uk-scottish-leader-anas-sarwar-exhorts-pakistanis-to-take-power-watch-9011598">&lsquo;Another Pakistan about to emerge in UK&rsquo;: Scottish leader Anas Sarwar exhorts Pakistanis to &lsquo;take power&rsquo; | Watch</a>
The attack in Pahalgam was meticulously orchestrated by The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) offshoot created by the ISI in 2019 specifically to evade international scrutiny. Unlike overtly religious terror groups such as the LeT and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), TRF is strategically branded as a domestic resistance group to avoid detection by bodies like the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). However, beneath this superficial veneer lies the unmistakable operational footprint of LeT, explicitly supported and guided by the ISI.
Intelligence assessments highlight Pakistan&rsquo;s growing reliance on terror proxies due to its inability to confront India militarily. Pakistan&rsquo;s strategic shift towards infiltrating terrorists primarily through southern Jammu&mdash;the so-called &lsquo;Southern Strategy&rsquo;&mdash;is evidence of Islamabad&rsquo;s relentless attempt to create instability. Indian intelligence reveals around 100 terrorists positioned in 32 launch pads facing Jammu, with another 35 across 10 launch pads opposite Kashmir. This southern axis, less mountainous and more accessible, has witnessed over 50 infiltration attempts in the last six months alone, a clear indicator of Pakistan&rsquo;s shifting tactical posture.
Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/terrorists-covered-rugged-terrain-from-kokernag-to-pahalgam-in-22-hours-for-attack-source-9007490" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Terrorists covered rugged terrain from Kokernag to Pahalgam in 22 hours for attack: Source</a>
India is neither blind nor passive in response. The detailed intelligence regarding infiltration routes, launch pad locations, terrorist numbers, and drone recoveries underscores India&rsquo;s robust strategic capabilities and proactive preparedness. The interception of 125 drones in 2023 alone, following 300 the previous year, demonstrates India&rsquo;s technological vigilance and preparedness to thwart Pakistan&rsquo;s nefarious designs.
Strategically, General Munir&rsquo;s agenda is also influenced by broader geopolitical frustration. India&rsquo;s deepening diplomatic ties with Saudi Arabia and the United States&mdash;highlighted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi&rsquo;s recent successful visit to Riyadh and US Vice President JD Vance&rsquo;s diplomatic engagement in New Delhi&mdash;are major irritants for Munir and the Pakistani establishment. These diplomatic achievements isolate Islamabad further, compelling Munir to intensify terror activities to sabotage India&rsquo;s growing international stature.
Adding complexity and international danger to the Pakistan Army Chief&rsquo;s terror strategy, a Hamas delegation was recently facilitated by the ISI to visit the JeM headquarters in Bahawalpur, mere days before the Pahalgam massacre. This meeting was impossible without the explicit sanction and logistical support of the highest echelons of the Pakistan Army, its Chief and the ISI. This is the second such Hamas visit, with the first coming on Kashmir Solidarity Day on 5th February 2025. This indicates a sinister attempt at global terror networking, posing threats not only to India but also to regional and international stability.
Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/after-indus-waters-treaty-suspension-bjp-mp-calls-for-stopping-water-to-bangladesh-9008124">After Indus Waters Treaty suspension, BJP MP calls for stopping water to Bangladesh</a>
Yet, the response within Kashmir has unequivocally rejected Pakistan&rsquo;s terror tactics. Local Kashmiris from diverse religious backgrounds have unitedly condemned the attack, holding candle marches and using mosque loudspeakers to publicly denounce terrorism. This genuine grassroots rejection highlights the failure of General Munir&rsquo;s attempt to portray terrorist violence as indigenous resistance.
India&rsquo;s strategic preparedness and global diplomatic outreach must now converge into coordinated international action. Presenting irrefutable evidence of both ISI-TRF and ISI-Hamas coordination at international forums, including FATF and the United Nations, is imperative. India should robustly advocate for stringent global sanctions against Pakistan&rsquo;s military and intelligence establishment, particularly targeting General Munir, for orchestrating state-sponsored terrorism.
Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pahalgam-attack-union-minister-puri-slams-bilawals-provocative-remark-says-pakistan-in-terminal-decline-9005580" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Pahalgam attack: Union Minister Puri slams Bilawal's provocative remark, says Pakistan in &lsquo;terminal decline&rsquo;</a>
Moreover, enhancing international intelligence-sharing arrangements with key global partners, including the United States, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Israel, is essential to dismantling Pakistan&rsquo;s terror infrastructure effectively. Concurrently, intensifying surveillance, strengthening border security, and deploying advanced drone interception technologies are critical steps in ensuring operational security against infiltrations.
General Munir&rsquo;s dangerous radicalism and Pakistan&rsquo;s deep-state terror strategies require immediate global recognition and decisive countermeasures. Allowing this radical agenda to continue unchecked poses severe regional and international security risks. The fully prepared and proactively alert India must now galvanise global consensus to isolate and neutralise this persistent threat, safeguarding regional stability and global peace. Maj Gen RPS Bhadauria (Retd) is the Additional Director General of the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS), New Delhi. He previously served as the Director of the Centre for Strategic Studies &amp; Simulation (CS3) at the United Service Institution of India (USI) and has had a distinguished 36-year career in the Indian Army.
(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

Opinions & Blogs | India News | Pakistan: The attack in Pahalgam was meticulously orchestrated by The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) offshoot created by the ISI in 2019 specifically to evade international scrutiny.

The recent terror attack in Pahalgam, which left 26 innocent people dead, including a foreign national from Nepal, starkly exposes Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir’s radical agenda and his deep involvement in sponsoring cross-border terrorism against India. While Islamabad continues to deny responsibility, clear intelligence, operational evidence, and recent provocative statements directly implicate Pakistan’s military establishment, led by General Munir, as the prime architect of this deadly strategy. General Munir is increasingly recognised as a dangerous radical whose extremist views and provocative rhetoric have significantly escalated violence in Kashmir. His recent address at the Overseas Pakistanis Convention in Islamabad, invoking the divisive two-nation theory and labelling Kashmir as Pakistan’s “jugular vein”, was not mere political posturing. It was a calculated dog whistle to extremist elements operating under Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). By exploiting religious differences, General Munir sought to mobilise these terror networks as strategic assets in his broader agenda of destabilising India. Also Read | ‘Another Pakistan about to emerge in UK’: Scottish leader Anas Sarwar exhorts Pakistanis to ‘take power’ | Watch The attack in Pahalgam was meticulously orchestrated by The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) offshoot created by the ISI in 2019 specifically to evade international scrutiny. Unlike overtly religious terror groups such as the LeT and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), TRF is strategically branded as a domestic resistance group to avoid detection by bodies like the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). However, beneath this superficial veneer lies the unmistakable operational footprint of LeT, explicitly supported and guided by the ISI. Intelligence assessments highlight Pakistan’s growing reliance on terror proxies due to its inability to confront India militarily. Pakistan’s strategic shift towards infiltrating terrorists primarily through southern Jammu—the so-called ‘Southern Strategy’—is evidence of Islamabad’s relentless attempt to create instability. Indian intelligence reveals around 100 terrorists positioned in 32 launch pads facing Jammu, with another 35 across 10 launch pads opposite Kashmir. This southern axis, less mountainous and more accessible, has witnessed over 50 infiltration attempts in the last six months alone, a clear indicator of Pakistan’s shifting tactical posture. Also Read | Terrorists covered rugged terrain from Kokernag to Pahalgam in 22 hours for attack: Source India is neither blind nor passive in response. The detailed intelligence regarding infiltration routes, launch pad locations, terrorist numbers, and drone recoveries underscores India’s robust strategic capabilities and proactive preparedness. The interception of 125 drones in 2023 alone, following 300 the previous year, demonstrates India’s technological vigilance and preparedness to thwart Pakistan’s nefarious designs. Strategically, General Munir’s agenda is also influenced by broader geopolitical frustration. India’s deepening diplomatic ties with Saudi Arabia and the United States—highlighted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent successful visit to Riyadh and US Vice President JD Vance’s diplomatic engagement in New Delhi—are major irritants for Munir and the Pakistani establishment. These diplomatic achievements isolate Islamabad further, compelling Munir to intensify terror activities to sabotage India’s growing international stature. Adding complexity and international danger to the Pakistan Army Chief’s terror strategy, a Hamas delegation was recently facilitated by the ISI to visit the JeM headquarters in Bahawalpur, mere days before the Pahalgam massacre. This meeting was impossible without the explicit sanction and logistical support of the highest echelons of the Pakistan Army, its Chief and the ISI. This is the second such Hamas visit, with the first coming on Kashmir Solidarity Day on 5th February 2025. This indicates a sinister attempt at global terror networking, posing threats not only to India but also to regional and international stability. Also Read | After Indus Waters Treaty suspension, BJP MP calls for stopping water to Bangladesh Yet, the response within Kashmir has unequivocally rejected Pakistan’s terror tactics. Local Kashmiris from diverse religious backgrounds have unitedly condemned the attack, holding candle marches and using mosque loudspeakers to publicly denounce terrorism. This genuine grassroots rejection highlights the failure of General Munir’s attempt to portray terrorist violence as indigenous resistance. India’s strategic preparedness and global diplomatic outreach must now converge into coordinated international action. Presenting irrefutable evidence of both ISI-TRF and ISI-Hamas coordination at international forums, including FATF and the United Nations, is imperative. India should robustly advocate for stringent global sanctions against Pakistan’s military and intelligence establishment, particularly targeting General Munir, for orchestrating state-sponsored terrorism. Also Read | Pahalgam attack: Union Minister Puri slams Bilawal's provocative remark, says Pakistan in ‘terminal decline’ Moreover, enhancing international intelligence-sharing arrangements with key global partners, including the United States, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Israel, is essential to dismantling Pakistan’s terror infrastructure effectively. Concurrently, intensifying surveillance, strengthening border security, and deploying advanced drone interception technologies are critical steps in ensuring operational security against infiltrations. General Munir’s dangerous radicalism and Pakistan’s deep-state terror strategies require immediate global recognition and decisive countermeasures. Allowing this radical agenda to continue unchecked poses severe regional and international security risks. The fully prepared and proactively alert India must now galvanise global consensus to isolate and neutralise this persistent threat, safeguarding regional stability and global peace. Maj Gen RPS Bhadauria (Retd) is the Additional Director General of the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS), New Delhi. He previously served as the Director of the Centre for Strategic Studies & Simulation (CS3) at the United Service Institution of India (USI) and has had a distinguished 36-year career in the Indian Army. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

General Asim Munir’s radical agenda: Pakistan’s deep state terror nexus exposed in Pahalgam attack

Jailed former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan has said that the military establishment in the country would murder him, adding he would prefer death over slavery.

Jailed former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan has said that the military establishment in the country would murder him, adding he would prefer death over slavery. In an article for the British daily, The Telegraph, Khan, the chairperson of the Pakistan-Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), wrote on Thursday (May 2) that in today's time, Pakistan and its people stand in confrontation with each other. "Almost two years ago, an engineered vote of no confidence was moved against my government and a government cobbled together by the military establishment came into being," Khan wrote. "Since then, the military establishment, under the direct guidance of Gen Asim Munir, the chief of army staff, has tried every tactic to decimate my party’s presence from the political environment of Pakistan," he added. What Imran Khan said Khan pointed out that the oppression, torture and denial "of our election symbol have been extensively documented, but nothing has worked for the military and the powerless civilian leadership acting as its puppets." "Pakistan’s general elections on Feb 8, 2024, showed the utter failure of their design," he wrote in The Telegraph. Khan further said that the response of the state has been to unleash more oppression and violence not just against PTI workers but also against human rights defenders. The former prime minister highlighted that there has been a systematic attempt to destroy the independent functioning of Pakistan's judiciary at all levels. He also talked about the ongoing economic crisis and an upsurge in terrorism in the country. "The military establishment has done all they could against me. All that is left for them is to now murder me. I have stated publicly that if anything happens to me or my wife, Gen Asim Munir will be responsible. But I am not afraid because my faith is strong. I would prefer death over slavery," he added. PTI alleges rigging in February 8 polls Khan's remarks in the British daily came as the PTI alleged rigging in the February 8 general elections. The elections delivered a fractured mandate. Independent candidates backed by the PTI won 93 seats in the 336-member National Assembly. Former PM Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) won 75 seats while Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) won 54 seats, and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) won 17 seats. The PML-N struck a post-poll deal with the PPP and the smaller parties to gain power at the federal level. The PTI has said that the powerful establishment had favoured PML-N and the election commission deliberately used a different form to declare the results to “steal the mandate” that belonged to it. “We won 180 seats in the (February 8) elections. Our seats were given to other parties through Form 47,” PTI's Gohar Ali Khan told reporters. Khan said that the party filed a petition in the Supreme Court against the alleged rigging, but the plea had not been fixed for hearing yet. “We are issuing a 300-page white paper to bring it to the notice of the people as to how their mandate was stolen,” he added. (With inputs from agencies)

All that is left for Pakistan military establishment is to murder me: Ex-PM Imran Khan writes from jail

In a recent statement, Pakistan’s military brass, on Wednesday &nbsp;(June 7) said that they would tighten the “noose of law” against those who have “mounted a hate-ripened and politically-driven rebellion against the state and state institutions.”&nbsp;This also comes after the forum condemned the incidents of “May 9 Black Day” when protests broke out across the country after former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan’s arrest.&nbsp;

<h2>What did the Pakistan army say?</h2>

The statement was issued after the 81st Formation Commanders Conference at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Pakistan’s Rawalpindi which was reportedly presided over by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir.&nbsp;

During the forum, as per the statement, the top military brass also condemned the incidents of “May 9 Black Day” and reiterated that the “attackers of military installations would certainly be brought to justice speedily under the Pakistan Army Act and Official Secret Act,” reported The Dawn.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/islamabad-court-declares-ex-pm-imran-khans-arrest-legal-violent-protests-across-pakistan-590806">Islamabad court declares ex-PM Imran Khan’s arrest legal, violent protests rage across Pakistan</a>

It added, “Efforts to create distortions and attempts to take refuge behind imaginary and mirage human rights violations to create smoke screen for hiding the ugly faces of all involved are absolutely futile and do not stand the abundantly collected irrefutable evidences.”

This also comes days after Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif hinted that former premier and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)&nbsp;chairman Imran Khan could be tried in a military court for his involvement in the May 9 protests.&nbsp;

“The legal trials of perpetrators and instigators have commenced, it is time that the noose of law is also tightened around the planners and masterminds who mounted the hate-ripened and politically-driven rebellion against the state and state institutions to achieve their nefarious design of creating chaos in the country,” said the Pakistan military, in a statement.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-defence-minister-signals-imran-khan-to-be-tried-in-military-court-600406">Pakistan’s defence minister signals Imran Khan to be tried in military court</a>

However, Khawaja Asif said that no case had been registered so far against the PTI chief for what happened on May 9. “Definitely…there are chances that Imran Khan can be tried in a military court,” the minister said while responding to a question if the former PM could face the country’s stringent Army Act.

<h2>Imran Khan about the Pakistan army</h2>

In a series of interviews and statements, Imran Khan has reiterated that there is no rule of law in Pakistan and that it is being run by only one man — <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/imran-khan-says-hes-worried-they-will-pick-him-again-warns-of-same-reaction-if-arrested-again-591698">the Army chief</a>. Khan also assured that if he gets re-elected as the Pakistan PM, he will “not denotify” the army chief.

The South Asian nation’s military-intelligence nexus is often dubbed as “establishment”, and has been widely described as the real power running the country's state of affairs.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-is-being-run-by-the-establishment-imran-khan-tells-wion-598796">Exclusive | Pakistan is being run by the 'establishment': Imran Khan</a>

“The government and establishment are the same thing. The country is being run by the establishment,” the PTI chief told WION last week.

Speaking about the PTI’s top politicians abandoning ship after the events of May 9, he also told WION, “There is unprecedented pressure put on the individuals by the agencies. Such things have never happened before.” 
 
&nbsp;

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In a recent statement, Pakistan’s military brass, on Wednesday (June 7) said that they would tighten the “noose of law” against those who have “mounted a hate-ripened and politically-driven rebellion against the state and state institutions.

In a recent statement, Pakistan’s military brass, on Wednesday (June 7) said that they would tighten the “noose of law” against those who have “mounted a hate-ripened and politically-driven rebellion against the state and state institutions.” This also comes after the forum condemned the incidents of “May 9 Black Day” when protests broke out across the country after former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan’s arrest. What did the Pakistan army say? The statement was issued after the 81st Formation Commanders Conference at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Pakistan’s Rawalpindi which was reportedly presided over by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir. During the forum, as per the statement, the top military brass also condemned the incidents of “May 9 Black Day” and reiterated that the “attackers of military installations would certainly be brought to justice speedily under the Pakistan Army Act and Official Secret Act,” reported The Dawn. ALSO READ | Islamabad court declares ex-PM Imran Khan’s arrest legal, violent protests rage across Pakistan It added, “Efforts to create distortions and attempts to take refuge behind imaginary and mirage human rights violations to create smoke screen for hiding the ugly faces of all involved are absolutely futile and do not stand the abundantly collected irrefutable evidences.” This also comes days after Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif hinted that former premier and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan could be tried in a military court for his involvement in the May 9 protests. “The legal trials of perpetrators and instigators have commenced, it is time that the noose of law is also tightened around the planners and masterminds who mounted the hate-ripened and politically-driven rebellion against the state and state institutions to achieve their nefarious design of creating chaos in the country,” said the Pakistan military, in a statement. ALSO READ | Pakistan’s defence minister signals Imran Khan to be tried in military court However, Khawaja Asif said that no case had been registered so far against the PTI chief for what happened on May 9. “Definitely…there are chances that Imran Khan can be tried in a military court,” the minister said while responding to a question if the former PM could face the country’s stringent Army Act. Imran Khan about the Pakistan army In a series of interviews and statements, Imran Khan has reiterated that there is no rule of law in Pakistan and that it is being run by only one man — the Army chief. Khan also assured that if he gets re-elected as the Pakistan PM, he will “not denotify” the army chief. The South Asian nation’s military-intelligence nexus is often dubbed as “establishment”, and has been widely described as the real power running the country's state of affairs. ALSO READ | Exclusive | Pakistan is being run by the 'establishment': Imran Khan “The government and establishment are the same thing. The country is being run by the establishment,” the PTI chief told WION last week. Speaking about the PTI’s top politicians abandoning ship after the events of May 9, he also told WION, “There is unprecedented pressure put on the individuals by the agencies. Such things have never happened before.” WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Time to tighten ‘noose of law’: Pakistan army chief seemingly slams PTI chief Imran Khan

The war of words between former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan and the establishment never ceases to end. On Sunday, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb called Imran a 'liar' after he tried to refute a news article that said he was behind the removal of General Asim Munir from the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) spy agency in 2019.

“If this wasn’t the reason, what was? Do tell! The only reason you can’t give another reason because you know that this is the real reason. LIAR,” the minister said while responding to Imran Khan’s tweet on his wife’s corruption. 
Imran had quote tweeted an article from The Telegraph, saying the content of the story was false.&nbsp;

"The article claims that I had made Gen Asim resign as DG ISI because he had shown me my wife Bushra begums corruption cases. This is completely false. Neither did Gen Asim show me any proofs of my wife's corruption nor did I make him resign because of that," tweeted Imran.&nbsp;

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If this wasn’t the reason , what was ? Do tell ! The only reason you can’t give another reason because you know that this is the real reason. LIAR <a href="https://t.co/9r18BCG0kj">https://t.co/9r18BCG0kj</a>
— Marriyum Aurangzeb (@Marriyum_A) <a href="https://twitter.com/Marriyum_A/status/1660291269216591872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2023</a></blockquote>
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While General Munir took the centre-stage last November, succeeding Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), he had already clashed with Imran previously. According to the allegations that Khan refuted, General Munir, as the ISI chief wanted to investigate allegations of corruption around his wife and her circle.&nbsp;

However, in unsuspecting circumstances, Gen Munir was removed from his position, only eight months into what was meant to be a three-year term.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/imran-khan-blames-pakistan-army-chief-asim-munir-for-arrest-592289">WATCH |&nbsp;Imran Khan blames Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir for arrest</a>

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<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/white-house-refuses-to-comment-on-imran-khans-arrest-says-pakistanis-have-right-to-protest-592843#" id="jqclosemark">×</a>

<h2>Imran Khan says he will be arrested&nbsp;</h2>

The tussle between Imran and the government continued on Monday as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) chief said there was an 80 per cent chance that he was going to be arrested by the authorities when he goes to court in Islamabad.&nbsp;

“On Tuesday, I’m going to appear before the court in Islamabad for various bails and there are 80 per cent chances that I will be arrested,” said Imran in an interview.&nbsp;

Imran accused the ruling disposition of being aligned with the army. He said that by working together, they were “dismantling the democratic system" to keep him out,

The PTI chief claimed that over 10,000 workers had been arrested and the entire party senior leadership was put behind bars.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/imran-khan-shared-ai-generated-images-of-9-may-protests-to-build-narrative-594660">ALSO READ |&nbsp;Imran Khan shared AI-generated images of May 9 protests to build narrative</a>

<h2>Imran Khan's arrest</h2>

The cricketer-turned-politician was arrested earlier this month by the Pakistani Rangers, in relation to the Qadir Trust case, which is one of dozens of cases pending against him since his ouster from office last year.&nbsp;

Khan was sent to the custody of the country's top anti-corruption body for eight days. However, he was released after supreme court judges ruled that his arrest was “illegal and invalid”.&nbsp;

Since then, Khan has been making the rounds of the court, seeking bail in different cases and attempting to avoid time behind bars.&nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;

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The war of words between former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan and the establishment never ceases to end. On Sunday, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb called Imran a 'liar' after he tried to refute a news article that said he was behind the removal of General Asim Munir from the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) spy agency in 2019.

The war of words between former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan and the establishment never ceases to end. On Sunday, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb called Imran a 'liar' after he tried to refute a news article that said he was behind the removal of General Asim Munir from the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) spy agency in 2019. “If this wasn’t the reason, what was? Do tell! The only reason you can’t give another reason because you know that this is the real reason. LIAR,” the minister said while responding to Imran Khan’s tweet on his wife’s corruption. Imran had quote tweeted an article from The Telegraph, saying the content of the story was false. "The article claims that I had made Gen Asim resign as DG ISI because he had shown me my wife Bushra begums corruption cases. This is completely false. Neither did Gen Asim show me any proofs of my wife's corruption nor did I make him resign because of that," tweeted Imran. If this wasn’t the reason , what was ? Do tell ! The only reason you can’t give another reason because you know that this is the real reason. LIAR https://t.co/9r18BCG0kj — Marriyum Aurangzeb (@Marriyum_A) May 21, 2023 × While General Munir took the centre-stage last November, succeeding Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), he had already clashed with Imran previously. According to the allegations that Khan refuted, General Munir, as the ISI chief wanted to investigate allegations of corruption around his wife and her circle. However, in unsuspecting circumstances, Gen Munir was removed from his position, only eight months into what was meant to be a three-year term. WATCH | Imran Khan blames Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir for arrest × Imran Khan says he will be arrested The tussle between Imran and the government continued on Monday as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) chief said there was an 80 per cent chance that he was going to be arrested by the authorities when he goes to court in Islamabad. “On Tuesday, I’m going to appear before the court in Islamabad for various bails and there are 80 per cent chances that I will be arrested,” said Imran in an interview. Imran accused the ruling disposition of being aligned with the army. He said that by working together, they were “dismantling the democratic system" to keep him out, The PTI chief claimed that over 10,000 workers had been arrested and the entire party senior leadership was put behind bars. ALSO READ | Imran Khan shared AI-generated images of May 9 protests to build narrative Imran Khan's arrest The cricketer-turned-politician was arrested earlier this month by the Pakistani Rangers, in relation to the Qadir Trust case, which is one of dozens of cases pending against him since his ouster from office last year. Khan was sent to the custody of the country's top anti-corruption body for eight days. However, he was released after supreme court judges ruled that his arrest was “illegal and invalid”. Since then, Khan has been making the rounds of the court, seeking bail in different cases and attempting to avoid time behind bars. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Pakistan govt calls Imran Khan 'liar' over his role in alleged removal of Gen Munir as ISI chief

Pakistan might be on the path of total dictatorship, the citizens rued on Friday&nbsp;after Veterans of Pakistan (VOP) released a letter condemning the arrest of family members of late Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asif Nawaz Janjua.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The letter noted that on Thursday (May 18), family members of the former COAS were picked up from their official residence in Lahore Cantt. by the Punjab police.&nbsp;

"On 18 May 2023, family members of Late COAS Lt. Gen Asif Nawaz Janjua were picked up by Punjab Police from their residence in Lahore Cantt and detained overnight,"&nbsp;read the letter.&nbsp;

The group called the arrest an 'atrocious act' that violated the&nbsp;fundamental rights and several 'international conventions' that Pakistan is a signatory to.

"Apropos to COAS remarks about Veterans at various forums, this high-handedness is a measure of what treatment Veterans of the Armed Forces could expect from such aggressive and blatant warning shots."

The veterans threatened to mobilise the public against the military if justice was not served 'expeditiously' to the family members.

"Should justice not be served expeditiously or it be applied selectively, the Veterans as citizens of Pakistan will not hesitate to exercise their constitutional rights to mobilize all over Pakistan against such draconian law enforcement."

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Last night, family members of late COAS Asif Nawaz Janjua were picked up from Lahore Cantt, from the legendary Chief’s residence, without arrest warrants. 
 
This is unprecedented. This is damning. And it must be taken notice of by <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficialDGISPR?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OfficialDGISPR</a>, the ISI, the MI and the Chief… <a href="https://t.co/UdAj8nftSK">pic.twitter.com/UdAj8nftSK</a>
— Wajahat S. Khan (@WajSKhan) <a href="https://twitter.com/WajSKhan/status/1659570186029023234?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 2023</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pakistan-punjab-police-to-send-team-to-imran-khans-house-govt-says-terrorists-inside-his-house-593999">WATCH |&nbsp;Pakistan: Punjab police to send team to Imran Khan's house, govt says 'terrorists inside his house'</a>

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<h2>Pakistani's fear the worst</h2>

Meanwhile, Pakistani netizens took a grim view of the developments with one saying the veterans had finally woken up.&nbsp;

"Time for veterans to wake up. They are feeling for the first time the importance of 'veil of ignorance'"

Meanwhile, others noted a strange pattern, "Out of the 11 former Army Chiefs, 6 are living. This includes Gen Aslam Beg, Gen Waleed Kakar, &amp; Gen Karamat. Is this why they haven’t said anything? Are they too scared to speak out, or do they simply not feel the need to?"

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Out of the 11 former Army Chiefs, 6 are living. This includes Gen Aslam Beg, Gen Waleed Kakar, &amp; Gen Karamat. Is this why they haven’t said anything? 
Are they too scared to speak out, or do they simply not feel the need to? <a href="https://t.co/QXRwCI9hly">https://t.co/QXRwCI9hly</a> <a href="https://t.co/nQxcWTy0mL">pic.twitter.com/nQxcWTy0mL</a>
— عمر (@MogulMowgli) <a href="https://twitter.com/MogulMowgli/status/1659621807404531716?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 2023</a></blockquote>
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"Sad to see the family of the Great Army Chief Asif Nawaz Janjua (from Jhelum) being harassed Maybe it’s time it’s investigated who really killed him after he attempted to crackdown on Fauji corruption," said a tweeter.&nbsp;

The political and military turmoil in Pakistan has reached a tipping point ever since former prime minister Imran Khan was arrested earlier this month. Following the arrest, riots spread across the country with the civilian population storming military establishments and routing the property.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-court-extends-imran-khans-interim-pre-arrest-bail-in-three-cases-593971">ALSO READ |&nbsp;Will fight till last ball, says Pakistan's Imran Khan after court extends interim bail</a>

To cull any form of sedition, the Pakistani Army has launched an operation where the dissenters are being swept one after another. However, breaking the precedent,&nbsp;Gen. Asim Munir has gone after an ex-Army chief and his family to send a message.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;

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Pakistan might be on the path of total dictatorship, the citizens rued on Friday after Veterans of Pakistan (VOP) released a letter condemning the arrest of family members of late Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asif Nawaz Janjua.

Pakistan might be on the path of total dictatorship, the citizens rued on Friday after Veterans of Pakistan (VOP) released a letter condemning the arrest of family members of late Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asif Nawaz Janjua. The letter noted that on Thursday (May 18), family members of the former COAS were picked up from their official residence in Lahore Cantt. by the Punjab police. "On 18 May 2023, family members of Late COAS Lt. Gen Asif Nawaz Janjua were picked up by Punjab Police from their residence in Lahore Cantt and detained overnight," read the letter. The group called the arrest an 'atrocious act' that violated the fundamental rights and several 'international conventions' that Pakistan is a signatory to. "Apropos to COAS remarks about Veterans at various forums, this high-handedness is a measure of what treatment Veterans of the Armed Forces could expect from such aggressive and blatant warning shots." The veterans threatened to mobilise the public against the military if justice was not served 'expeditiously' to the family members. "Should justice not be served expeditiously or it be applied selectively, the Veterans as citizens of Pakistan will not hesitate to exercise their constitutional rights to mobilize all over Pakistan against such draconian law enforcement." Last night, family members of late COAS Asif Nawaz Janjua were picked up from Lahore Cantt, from the legendary Chief’s residence, without arrest warrants. This is unprecedented. This is damning. And it must be taken notice of by @OfficialDGISPR, the ISI, the MI and the Chief… pic.twitter.com/UdAj8nftSK — Wajahat S. Khan (@WajSKhan) May 19, 2023 × WATCH | Pakistan: Punjab police to send team to Imran Khan's house, govt says 'terrorists inside his house' × Pakistani's fear the worst Meanwhile, Pakistani netizens took a grim view of the developments with one saying the veterans had finally woken up. "Time for veterans to wake up. They are feeling for the first time the importance of 'veil of ignorance'" Meanwhile, others noted a strange pattern, "Out of the 11 former Army Chiefs, 6 are living. This includes Gen Aslam Beg, Gen Waleed Kakar, & Gen Karamat. Is this why they haven’t said anything? Are they too scared to speak out, or do they simply not feel the need to?" Out of the 11 former Army Chiefs, 6 are living. This includes Gen Aslam Beg, Gen Waleed Kakar, & Gen Karamat. Is this why they haven’t said anything? Are they too scared to speak out, or do they simply not feel the need to? https://t.co/QXRwCI9hly pic.twitter.com/nQxcWTy0mL — عمر (@MogulMowgli) May 19, 2023 × "Sad to see the family of the Great Army Chief Asif Nawaz Janjua (from Jhelum) being harassed Maybe it’s time it’s investigated who really killed him after he attempted to crackdown on Fauji corruption," said a tweeter. The political and military turmoil in Pakistan has reached a tipping point ever since former prime minister Imran Khan was arrested earlier this month. Following the arrest, riots spread across the country with the civilian population storming military establishments and routing the property. ALSO READ | Will fight till last ball, says Pakistan's Imran Khan after court extends interim bail To cull any form of sedition, the Pakistani Army has launched an operation where the dissenters are being swept one after another. However, breaking the precedent, Gen. Asim Munir has gone after an ex-Army chief and his family to send a message. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Total dictatorship incoming?: Pakistanis rue after former COAS Asif Nawaz Janjua's family members arrested

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday said it was Army Chief General Asim Munir who had been working behind the scenes&nbsp;to secure bilateral financing&nbsp;from friendly countries such as UAE and Saudi Arabia&nbsp;to meet the pre-condition set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to secure a bailout package.&nbsp;

Sharif, while addressing a ceremony, said he was now hopeful that the IMF will not delay in releasing the $1.1 billion payment as part of the bailout package agreed upon in 2019.&nbsp;

"Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir has contributed to the government's efforts to secure funds from Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Hopefully the IMF will now have no excuse to delay the agreement (to release a tranche of USD 1.1 billion)," said Sharif.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/is-pakistans-economic-crisis-getting-worse-550882">WATCH |&nbsp;Is Pakistan's economic crisis getting worse?</a>

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<h2>UAE and Saudi Arabia step up to help</h2>

The cash-strapped country has been looking to secure the IMF package for a long time. However, the international lender has been reluctant to open its wallet, unless Islamabad satisfies its pre-requisites.&nbsp;

After seeing no light at the end of the tunnel, UAE on Friday confirmed that it would provide a $1 billion loan to Islamabad. A week earlier,&nbsp;Saudi Arabia assured that it would provide $2 billion in the loan amount.&nbsp;

"Realising our problems, China provided a rollover of $2 billion loan, besides returning back previous debt amount paid back by Pakistan. The UAE had committed a loan of $3 billion,"&nbsp;added Sharif.&nbsp;

The statement by Sharif come in stark contrast to the announcement made by the Pakistani Army wherein it was said that General Munir had no role in the politics of the country.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/pakistan-gets-a-step-closer-to-getting-imf-bailout-after-uae-saudi-arabia-pledge-billions-in-assistance-582451">ALSO READ |&nbsp;Pakistan a step closer to getting IMF bailout after UAE, Saudi Arabia pledge billions in assistance</a>

<h2>Pakistan needs IMF's help</h2>

Pakistan is in dire need of funds. Last week, the World Bank and Asian Development Bank projected the&nbsp;country’s gross domestic product to grow by a measly 0.4 per cent and 0.6 per cent respectively. Additionally, the inflation for FY23 was projected at 29.5 per cent and 27.5 per cent.&nbsp;

Notably, fresh readings issued by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) last month showed that yearly short-term inflation rose by 46.65 per cent during the week that ended on March 22 — the highest recorded in the country's history.

According to reports, Pakistan has less than a month’s worth of foreign exchange reserves.&nbsp; Moreover, the global credit rating agency Moody's downgraded Pakistan's local and foreign currency credit ratings from Caa1 to Caa3.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;

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Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday said it was Army Chief General Asim Munir who had been working behind the scenes to secure bilateral financing from friendly countries such as UAE and Saudi Arabia to meet the pre-condition set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to secure a bailout package.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday said it was Army Chief General Asim Munir who had been working behind the scenes to secure bilateral financing from friendly countries such as UAE and Saudi Arabia to meet the pre-condition set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to secure a bailout package. Sharif, while addressing a ceremony, said he was now hopeful that the IMF will not delay in releasing the $1.1 billion payment as part of the bailout package agreed upon in 2019. "Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir has contributed to the government's efforts to secure funds from Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Hopefully the IMF will now have no excuse to delay the agreement (to release a tranche of USD 1.1 billion)," said Sharif. WATCH | Is Pakistan's economic crisis getting worse? × UAE and Saudi Arabia step up to help The cash-strapped country has been looking to secure the IMF package for a long time. However, the international lender has been reluctant to open its wallet, unless Islamabad satisfies its pre-requisites. After seeing no light at the end of the tunnel, UAE on Friday confirmed that it would provide a $1 billion loan to Islamabad. A week earlier, Saudi Arabia assured that it would provide $2 billion in the loan amount. "Realising our problems, China provided a rollover of $2 billion loan, besides returning back previous debt amount paid back by Pakistan. The UAE had committed a loan of $3 billion," added Sharif. The statement by Sharif come in stark contrast to the announcement made by the Pakistani Army wherein it was said that General Munir had no role in the politics of the country. ALSO READ | Pakistan a step closer to getting IMF bailout after UAE, Saudi Arabia pledge billions in assistance Pakistan needs IMF's help Pakistan is in dire need of funds. Last week, the World Bank and Asian Development Bank projected the country’s gross domestic product to grow by a measly 0.4 per cent and 0.6 per cent respectively. Additionally, the inflation for FY23 was projected at 29.5 per cent and 27.5 per cent. Notably, fresh readings issued by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) last month showed that yearly short-term inflation rose by 46.65 per cent during the week that ended on March 22 — the highest recorded in the country's history. According to reports, Pakistan has less than a month’s worth of foreign exchange reserves. Moreover, the global credit rating agency Moody's downgraded Pakistan's local and foreign currency credit ratings from Caa1 to Caa3. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Pakistan Army chief helped secure funds from UAE, Saudi to fulfill IMF pre-condition, says PM Sharif

Pakistan: Lt Gen Asim Munir has been named as the new Army Chief staff and Sahir Shamshad Mirza will be the new Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee. Pakistan Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb took to Twitter to make this announcement. Watch the video to know more about it.

Journalist Omar Altaf reacts to appointment of new Army Chief in Pakistan

Imran Khan on New Army Chief: 'President Alvi and I will now act per the constitution'

Pakistan Journalist Omar Altaf reacts to appointment of new Army Chief

Pakistan Defence Minister's statement over the appointment of new Army Chief

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